Purchasing Currency prior to trip?

I just went to my local AAA office on Friday and they were selling 44 British Pounds for $100 and 67 Euros for $100...needless to say, I didn't buy them...I'll be using my ATM on arrival.

Wow hard to believe, you would think that buying in the US would be cheaper...
Thanks!
Jerry

ATMs for euros are availabe at any entry point and in every block once you start moving. There's been a recent thread about no economical source of sterling at Heathrow, but even the uneconomical source might be slightly better than what you'd find at home. Again, once you start moving around, ATMs are everywhere.

Somebody with more recent experience will have to address Switzerland.

The point of getting cash beforehand is not to save money or get everything you need. Some of us - myself included - cannot fathom not having cash in local currency upon arrival. The exorbitant fees you pay here are merely insurance for the chance that the ATM at the airport might be empty or broken or my card might not work right away or the credit card machine on the airport bus ticket kiosk is down, or whatever. It's well worth the $10 or whatever it costs to avoid a potential huge headache upon arrival, when i want to concentrate on being on vacation, not finding a working ATM.

Jerry, I would recommend getting a little currency for whatever place you will be visiting first. Like you said, enough to get to your accommodation and a snack if you need one. The rest you can get in ATMs in each place.

Cindy, sounds like your AAA office is dealing through Travelex. They're the only ones I know of that mark up foreign currency that much (over 14%). Last time I inquired at the AAA near me, they were charging the same rate as, and getting Euro from, Wells Fargo, and the markup was 5%.

I'm sure you have a Wells Fargo bank near you in California. Try them.

They'll charge you 5% vs 1%-3% with your ATM card over there, but if you want cash on hand when you arrive, it's better than AAA.

Lee, not sure what the mark-up was, but the agent told me that they include an $8 fee, so that may skew the actual exchange rate.

I always have a little bit of the local currency. Go to your local bank. See what they will get you. As someone mentioned ATMs can be down or out of money or some other problem arrises, or you can just be plain tired and not want to deal with it when you arrive. I just feel a little bit happier if I have 50 Pounds with me when I arrive in the UK. Yes, I pay more, but I am more comfortable. Pam

I agree with Pamela and the others here who suggested that you get currency from your bank. In June I went to AAA to buy euros for my upcoming trip in July but they were selling 63 euros for $100, because that's the price they paid for them. (When was that, 2 or 3 years ago? I understand they don't want to lose money, but they just lost a customer.) I went to my bank (US Bank) and got a better rate - 100 euros for $137. Not the best rate, but I always want to have local currency on me when I arrive in a new country.

I agree with Pamela and the others here who suggested that you get currency from your bank. In June I went to AAA to buy euros for my upcoming trip in July but they were selling 63 euros for $100, because that's the price they paid for them. (When was that, 2 or 3 years ago? I understand they don't want to lose money, but they just lost a customer.) I went to my bank (US Bank) and got a better rate - 100 euros for $137. Not the best rate, but I always want to have local currency on me when I arrive in a new country.

Yes, AAA USED to be an OK deal...but not around here anymore.

Lee is right about Wells Fargo - the best you'll find, probably (I've looked!). And near Beavercreek, too! You don't have to have an account there, unless that's changed very recently...And no extra charges if you pick them up in person (unless that's changed, too). Call ahead, though, so they'll be expecting you.

I might get some amount ($100? depends on # of people in my party) in pounds just in case something isn't working right b/n your ATM card and the ATMs. Unless something terribly strange occurs, you'll be fine getting the other currencies from ATMs there. You just need to get off the ground, so to speak, in GB.

And watch out for those Travelex/Thomas Cook/AMEX machines that look like ATMS...

And if you're planning on returning to Europe, SAVE SOME EUROS!!! ESP. BATHROOM COINS 8-P!!! Keep them with your passports.

EDIT: I was at Wells-Fargo today...(and verified info on W-F website)

Non-account holder only: $5 fee + exchange rate (and you can't sell unused foreign currencies back to the bank)

For all: it's $12 [up from $8 last fall...:-( ] to have currency mailed to you by two-day mail. (local branch thought it was still $8, but then they aren't the ones actually mailing money to anyone)